IBM Magstar 3494 manual Cartridge Tape

There are two modes of operation for the Convenience Input¤Output Station while in

Input mode: Insert, and Import. If one or more Virtual Tape Servers are

Import/Export capable, then the Convenience Input¤Output Station will be inImport

mode.

Cartridge Tape

The 3494 is designed to automate the storage and movement of the Cartridge

System Tape, the Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape, and the 3590 High

Performance Cartridge Tape.

Note: The 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape can only be used on 3590 High Performance Magnetic Tape Subsystems. The Cartridge System Tape and the Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape can only be used on 3490E Magnetic Tape Subsystems.

The 3494 supports an intermix of the Cartridge System Tape, the Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape, and the High Performance Cartridge Tape depending on the model of tape drive subsystem installed. The Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape is visually distinguished from the Cartridge System Tape by its two-color (gray and white) plastic case. The High Performance Cartridge Tape is visually distinguished from the Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape and the Cartridge System Tape by its black plastic case, blue plastic inserts, and blue leader block.

Figure 15 on page 19 shows the Cartridge System Tape „1…, Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape „2…, and the High Performance Cartridge Tape „3…. Note the blue plastic inserts of the High Performance Cartridge Tape cartridge and the placement of the media-type label (either 1, E, or J).

The vision system identi®es the type of cartridge during an inventory or insert operation by reading a separate, media-type label to distinguish between the three types of cartridges. A standard Cartridge System Tape is identi®ed by a media-type label with the character 1. The Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape is identi®ed with the characterE. The High Performance Cartridge Tape cartridge is identi®ed with the characterJ. See ªUnlabeled Tape Facilityº on page 22 for more information.

Notes:

1.If both 3490 and 3590 drive types are installed in the 3494, all cartridges should have a label in the seventh character position. See Figure 15 on page 19.

2.The media type of the cartridge can be determined in several ways:

vThe most desirable method is for the vision system to read the seventh character on the label.

vIf users have cartridges without the seventh character, they may assign volser ranges (see ªVolser Range for Media Typesº on page 161) for determining the media type. If the vision system does not successfully read a seventh character, the library manager checks the volser read against the established volser ranges. If the volser is found, the media type that is associated with the range is used.

vAdditionally, a default media type can be set during a teach operation. The default media type is used for the cartridge if the vision system cannot

18Magstar 3494 Tape Library Operator Guide